ARRIVAL LOUNGE

BOWLED OVER BY CANADA!

Divya Saxena at the crease.

Divya Saxena was voted Tournament MVP at the conclusion of the ICC Women’s 2022 T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier hosted in Mexico recently.

Divya Saxena was voted Tournament MVP at the conclusion of the ICC Women’s 2022 T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier hosted in Mexico recently.

Saxena, who also emerged as the Tournament’s Best Batter, won the prestigious award on the basis of her outstanding all-round performance. She scored 180 runs from six innings at an average of 60.00. She was undefeated in three of her six innings which included a 70 not out in Canada’s opening match against Argentina, as the tournament’s highest individual score.

Saxena also captured two wickets with her right arm slow medium bowling and held as many catches as well.

Born in India, Divya Saxena moved to Canada around 15 years ago. Her parents chose Canada for better opportunities for their children in higher education. They settled in Edmonton, and though she was too young to grasp the magnitude of the move, Saxena says she recognizes that it was a huge step and the cultural differences, extreme cold and the lack of availability of familiar food would have taken some adjusting to.

“There was much less traffic, which was good!” she recalls with a laugh. “As a kid, I didn’t really enjoy the change much, but over the years Canada became home. It’s so clean and serene.”

She was always into sports, she says, but the major sports here were different, too. “Playing on ice isn’t something I have been able to adapt to...yet!”

Currently a student, she looks forward to the day when cricket culture has grown enough for it to be played and enjoyed by more people – specially girls and women.

She concludes with a question:

“Anyone wants to organize tournaments? Please feel free to invite us – we are open to playing in different destinations!”

 • If you’d like to share the story of your arrival in Canada, please write to desinews@rogers.com or call 416-695-4357.